This New Vintage Release is crafted From the Most Iconic Vineyard Sites in Sonoma County
(LOS ANGELES, October 20, 2020) – Crescere Wines, founded in 2016 by the Reynoso family in collaboration with renowned winemaker and Bordeaux native Philippe Melka, unveils its second hand-crafted vintage October 20th. Crescere’s site-specific pursuit of excellence is driven by a “farming first” ethos adopted by the Reynoso family’s multiple generations – Founder/Proprietors Joe and Elena Reynoso, and son, JW.
The 2017 vintage boasts seven wines, all made from grapes sourced from some of the most iconic vineyards in Sonoma – including the Reynoso Estate Vineyard, and the “Grand Cru” sites, Platt and Ritchie Vineyards. Every Crescere wine is created using techniques, both old and new, that highlight their sites of origin and pure varietal expression. Each wine offers those seeking both authenticity and discovery an opportunity to enjoy some of the best expressions of Sonoma’s diverse terroir.
“I’m extremely proud of this project and collaboration with Philippe because we share the same love for the land, and together we enjoy honoring the ancient history of winemaking by creating extraordinary wines of purity and breeding,” says Joe Reynoso.
Joe purchased the ranch in 1994 and began an ambitious planting program that was completed in 2000. Since that time the fruit has been sold to many of the most highly regarded wineries in Sonoma County. The family, along with their vineyard crew, currently farm 155 of the 550 acres; the rest of the ranch remains home to oaks, madrones, knob cone pine, bay, and manzanita. The grapes for Crescere Estate wines are selected by Philippe from the finest parcels and rows, and are farmed to his exacting standards. This collaboration ensures Crescere’s unforgettable wines leave an indelible mark on the landscape for collectors and experience-oriented consumers alike.
“As a winemaker, I am trying to showcase the place, while also trying to incorporate a little of the personality of the ownership. Joe and Elena are growers above all else, and these wines embody their lifestyle – simple yet sophisticated,” says Melka. “When we first met, I knew right away we would work well together; our connection was that we were at similar points in our lives in terms of understanding the value of life and the importance of having a simple approach along the way.”
Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2017
14.6% ABV, 750ml, $200 SRP
Deep color, spicy nose with a dark profile of blackberry and black current and tons of spices from the French oak, the wine also shows tobacco notes, roasted coffee beans and Christmas spices. The palate is dense, concentrated, and powerful with a solid core of tannins. The dark fruit profile, layers of spices and hint of sweetness round out the palate and create this full-bodied, complex wine. The unique minerality profile and acidity lifts the wine and creates a long finish. 100% Cabernet from the hillside vineyards created this powerful wine that will need another year or two to relax in the bottle before showing everything it has to offer and will also age for the next two to three decades.
Estate Vineyard Proprietary Red Blend Vintage 2017
14.5% ABV, 750ml, $150 SRP
Deep ruby color, spicy nose with notes of cassis, ripe raspberries, oak spices like nutmeg and a hint of coffee beans. The palate is full-bodied and vibrant with sweet tannins front to back, and dark fruits like blackberry and black currant. Beautiful integration of the new French oak adds another layer of spices and sweetness. The excellent tannin structure from the hillside vineyards and the acidity profile will allow the wine to age and evolve over the next decade or two.
Proprietary Pinot Noir Vintage 2017
14.5% ABV, 750ml, $100 SRP
We selected the top four barrels from the vintage to create this wine, and they were all from the same site: Putnam Vineyard in Annapolis on the far reaches of the North Sonoma Coast. Textbook Putnam, the wine is dark and intense, hedonistic, nearly brooding. Like black forest cake in a glass, it flashes aromas of dark cherry and cocoa. Arriving shortly after are notes of orange pekoe tea, redwood forest floor, sweet bay leaf, tar, exotic spices and an alluring chalky minerality. The long finish is dense with fruit and big, sweet tannins.
Proprietary Chardonnay Vintage 2017
14.4% ABV, 750ml, $80 SRP
Created as a barrel selection, the Proprietary Chardonnay hails from iconic Chardonnay sites, including Susanna’s Vineyard and Quail Hill. Aromatics of sweet cream, golden apple, white flowers, and a touch of wet stone. The palate is powerful, balanced, and expansive, with notes of pear and almond tart, nutmeg, bright honeydew melon, gunflint, and lime. The finish is focused, but generous, driven by lively acidity.
Platt Vineyard Chardonnay Vintage 2017
14.5% ABV, 750ml, $100 SRP
This vintage was fermented and aged in a concrete egg to maintain the great freshness of the wine. The Platt Chardonnay has great richness and complexity with aromas of pear, freshly cut nectarine, mint, wet sand and orange blossom. The acidity is pronounced and luscious, and provides tension for the flavors of golden apple, peach, chamomile, and lime sorbet. While rich and mouth-filling, it also has a distinctly sleek and saline personality. This wine would benefit from 1 hour of breathing time or decanting.
Platt Vineyard Pinot Noir Vintage 2017
14.6% ABV, 750ml, $120 SRP
Less than three miles from the Pacific Ocean Pinot Noir from the Platt Vineyard tends to be more Burgundian in character than almost any other site in California. Fresh cranberry, clove and a potpourri-like perfume define the nose. Spend time enjoying the ethereal nose before you indulge, you will not regret it. Once you take the plunge, the wine is shy and introverted, but alluring. Notes of mulberry, red plum, sweet black licorice, sandalwood, Chinese Five Spice powder and white pepper are displayed with discretion and grace, while the wine has a kind of wild quality to it. This wine will benefit with 1+ hour of breathing or decanting
Ritchie Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Vintage 2018
14.4% ABV, 750ml, $60 SRP
A gorgeous, heady perfume explodes out of the glass. The wine flaunts a palate filled with peach, pink grapefruit, dried pineapple, fig, candied ginger and lime zest. It is a boisterous symphony that displays great intensity and texture without obvious wood aromatics or flavors. “It ranks with the finest Sauvignon Blanc coming out of California today,” says American Wine Critic Jeb Dunnuck, who awarded the wine 98 points.
To purchase, please visit www.crescerewines.com/acquire.
For more information on Crescere Wines, visit www.crescerewines.com.
